Epilogue
Long Live the Queen
Caer Pendragon, Pendragon
Five years had passed since the world was turned on its head. No one really understood what had happened, not completely at any rate. Who would believe that the kingdom was caught up in a vortex of cosmic forces engaged in one of the countless battles in the eternal war between Light and Darkness? Anyone who heard you speaking of such things would call you mad.
It would make for a pleasant story to say that the land was at peace after that, but it was not so. There was rebellion and banditry, feuds and disputes, all manner of discord throughout the kingdom. It took time to bind up the wounds of the troubled land, but not all wounds healed.
That brought Aurelia to the royal tomb. The vault on the surface was actually rather small and humble, but down below it was said the catacombs carved into the living rock could hold forty generations of kings. Aurelia wondered if her line would even last half as long.
Draped on the steps of the vault was Cassandra. Her two small companions were sitting a short distance off keeping vigil over her. Even though she knew she could not hide anything in her heart from the Elf, Aurelia made an effort to wear the mask that was expected of her.
"It has been six days, Cassandra," she said. "This will not bring him back."
It seemed like the Elf was completely insensate to the world around her, but she did stir at the sound of Aurelia's words.
"You are a cruel woman, Aurelia," she said in a low voice.
She chuckled softly to herself.
"Something amuse you?" Aurelia asked.
Cassandra picked herself up and sat upright, but she continued to look to the door of the tomb.
"I just remembered a time when he said those same words to me," she said.
"And why would Father call you cruel, you who were closest to him all these years?"
"Because I did what I ought to have done and not what I wished to do," Cassandra said mournfully, hanging her head. "It would seem we are cut from the same cloth."
"Your blood does run in my veins," Aurelia said, "though I am sure you both would have been happier if I was your true daughter instead of... what I am."
Cassandra turned from the tomb and looked up to Aurelia.
"Your father was proud of you. I am proud of you."
If Aurelia was true to herself, she would have fallen on Cassandra and the two of them would weep over her father and all the missed opportunities that would fill them with regret to the end of their days. Instead she simply offered Cassandra her hand.
"Rise up," she said. "I still need you."
Though Cassandra seemed reluctant, she nevertheless accepted Aurelia's hand and let herself be helped up to her feet. She gave the tomb one last look before turning to face Aurelia.
"Are you sure that you want me?"
Aurelia gave her a soft smile.
"Somebody has to help me decide on a husband. I've left my suitors waiting long enough and our esteemed lords won't suffer a woman to rule over them too much longer. I have so many choices. Briton, Celt, Saxon, Greek, Norlander, even Roman—did you know the new King of the Blue Haven has offered his second son to seal a peace between our kingdoms? But I pick one and the others won't hear of it."
"Where does your heart lie?"
Aurelia sighed.
"Where it cannot be, so it has to lie with the realm and do what's best for it. You understand that all too well."
"All too well."
Still holding on to Cassandra's hand, Aurelia turned to go.
"Come along," she said.
Cassandra dug in her heels before she could be led off.
"You want me to attend court? The esteemed lords will not stand for it."
"Then they can sit for it," Aurelia replied with a mischievous grin. "They will have their hands full until they agree to a suitable match for me."
Of course it took no time at all for Cassandra to understand her intent. She chuckled to herself.
"You will make a formidable Queen, Aurelia."
"Anything less and I wouldn't be a Pendragon," Aurelia replied.
And so it was that the girl bred to bring the seeds of destruction into the world defied her fate and rose to be a great queen. She took up the unfulfilled dreams of her father and ushered in a new era where the land grew beyond the feud of three brothers. The North became a power in the world as it had not been since ancient days, nor would it be again. And the Elf Cassandra watched over the kingdom until its final days, never forgetting the love and the loyalty for the valiant young Prince to whom she owed everything.